SCHOOL LUNCHES:
Healthy Brown Bagging Tips

Is your child’s idea of fruit and protein a fruit roll up and a peanut butter cup for lunch? How do you turn bad habits into healthy ones?  Start by talking to your child about healthy snacks and lunch foods. You’ll get your kids’ input on what they like to eat and you’ll have an opportunity to offer them nutritious choices.

Next, stop handing out empty calories! Avoid lunchtime snacks that are high in sugar and substitute pretzels or rice cakes, or choose from our high-fiber snack list, or toss in string cheese snacks that are a good source of calcium.

Now, it’s time for you to get creative. Turn last night’s dinner into today’s lunch. Cut leftover chicken cutlets into strips, put over lettuce and include a packet of dressing on the side. Make an occasional salad by combining salad greens with cheese, fruit or nuts. Soup is a great lunchtime meal that keeps afternoon hunger at bay. Also, try a low-carb alternative to traditional sandwiches: wraps. Your kids will have fun choosing the ingredients and rolling them up!  It’s a great way to start teaching them to make their own lunches. Have your kids ever tried hummus?  It’s high in protein and comes in many varieties. Spread it on a sandwich or a wrap instead of mayo.

Be sure to provide bottled water, low-fat or non-fat milk, or a 100% juice box so your child doesn’t head to the soda machine. Juice boxes can be frozen overnight and popped in to lunchboxes to keep foods cool and will be ready to quench thirst by lunchtime.

What are your kids’ favorites? Send your lunchtime meal ideas to us at: Apple & Eve, Kids’ Lunchbox Favorites, P.O. Box K, Roslyn, NY  11576 or e-mail us at info@appleandeve.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

To visit the Apple & Eve website click here.